The Power of Connection with Women in Luxury Interiors
To mark International Women’s Day and this year’s theme, Give to Gain, The LPF is spotlighting women across our membership who are not only leading in their own disciplines, but also building communities that actively support and champion other women in the industry.
LPF Founder sat down with Charu Gandhi, Founder of Women in Luxury Interiors was created to bring together the many talented women shaping the luxury property and interiors industry. Founded by business leaders Mandi Cleyndert and Charu Gandhi, the initiative celebrates collaboration, visibility and shared knowledge across the design and construction sectors.
Can you introduce yourselves and your roles in the luxury property and interiors world?
Charu:
I am the founder and director of Elicyon, a London based luxury design studio recognised for highly detailed, crafted interiors for residential, hospitality, commercial and developer clients. My work combines architectural thinking with a refined approach to materials, craftsmanship and spatial storytelling.
Mandi:
And I lead the team at Bill Cleyndert & Company. We make bespoke interiors and furniture for some of the world’s finest private homes and yachts, so my work sits very much at the point where design, craftsmanship and delivery come together. It also means working closely with many different people across the luxury property and interiors world, from designers and architects to clients, makers and project teams.
What inspired you to create Women in Luxury Interiors?
Charu:
The idea came from recognising how many remarkable women were working across the luxury interiors and property sectors, often in different parts of the same ecosystem but without always being connected. We are a small group who meet quarterly for breakfast to share the highs and lows of running businesses and leading teams within our industry.
Luxury design projects involve many disciplines. Designers, developers, makers, consultants and specialists all contribute to the final result. Through our work we were constantly meeting inspiring women doing exceptional things within their fields.
Women in Luxury Interiors was created as a way to bring those voices together, to celebrate their work, and to create a platform where connection and collaboration can happen in a relaxed and informal setting.
Mandi:
Yes, it really started one lunch time together discussing the highs and lows of running businesses and teams. We thought there must be others who can share their experiences and take consolation that they aren’t alone. Running a business can be hugely rewarding, but it can also feel quite isolating at times, so the idea of creating a space where women could be open with one another felt both natural and needed.
Was there a particular moment when you felt this kind of initiative was needed?
Charu:
We met for coffee one day and realised we both shared similar challenges, and felt certain that there were other women in leadership positions in the industry who would feel synergy with the topics that we were discussing.
When people know each other, share knowledge and champion one another, the entire industry benefits.
Mandi:
And when we put a list together of potential attendees, women running businesses from different parts of the industry, be that property, PM, QS, architects, specialist trades etc, there weren’t many women in senior positions tasked with decision making that we could actually invite. That in itself said a lot. It highlighted both the need for better visibility and the importance of creating stronger connections between the women who are in those roles.
What does Give To Gain mean to you both?
Charu:
Give To Gain reflects the idea that generosity within a professional community ultimately benefits everyone involved.
It is about sharing knowledge, opening doors for others and celebrating the work of peers. When people contribute to a community with openness rather than competition, it creates an environment where ideas, opportunities and support circulate naturally. In creative industries especially, collaboration and dialogue are essential. Giving to the community strengthens the whole network.
Mandi:
Good karma and helping others. I think when people are generous with their time, advice or support, it tends to come back around in ways you might not always expect. Even small acts of encouragement or connection can make a real difference.
What do you think women in this part of the industry most need from one another?
Charu:
Support, visibility and collaboration. The luxury interiors sector can appear very polished from the outside, but behind every project there are challenges, from running a business to managing complex projects and client expectations.
Having a network of women who understand those experiences and can share insight, encouragement and opportunities is incredibly valuable. Equally important is championing each other’s work and helping to amplify voices across the industry.
Mandi:
And honesty and approachability. It makes such a difference when people are open about the reality of what they are navigating and are willing to have honest conversations. Being approachable matters too, because it helps create a sense that support, advice or simply a listening ear is available.
What have you learned from the other women in the community?
Charu:
One of the most inspiring things has been seeing the diversity of paths that lead into the luxury interiors world.
Some women have founded design studios, others specialise in materials, craftsmanship, development, styling or branding. Each perspective contributes to the richness of the industry. What consistently stands out is resilience and creativity. The women we meet are not only talented designers or specialists but also entrepreneurs and leaders.
Mandi:
And that you can’t have it all and that there’ll be casualties along the way and that’s ok. I think there can be a lot of pressure to make everything look seamless, but one of the most valuable things is hearing other women speak honestly about the compromises, trade-offs and realities of leadership. There is reassurance in knowing that perfection is not the goal.
What are some of the biggest challenges for women in the luxury property industry?
Charu:
The property and development side of the industry has historically been more male dominated, particularly at senior investment and construction levels. While this is changing, there can still be barriers around representation, leadership opportunities and access to certain networks.
However we are also seeing a new generation of women building influential design studios, leading major projects and redefining what leadership in the design and property sectors can look like.
Mandi:
I think there are lots of challenges for women in their working career, but they aren’t unique to our industry. Juggling the role of care giver with work is a big one, and so is dealing with hormone changes and all the things that can affect how women experience work at different life stages. These are real pressures, and I think the more openly they are acknowledged, the better.
Was there a point in your career that you leaned on the women around you in this industry?
Charu:
Absolutely. Informal support networks have always been incredibly important.
Whether it is sharing advice on navigating a complex project, exchanging contacts or simply having someone who understands the pressures of running a design business, those relationships are invaluable.
Many of the most meaningful professional relationships grow from exactly that kind of mutual support.
Mandi:
I have taken a great deal of support and strength from women and men in this industry and continue to do so. The network in this industry is pretty incredible. I honestly think that most people are happy to help with a lift, or an introduction, advice or reassurance. That willingness to help can make a huge difference, especially during more challenging moments.
What’s your advice to young women in the industry?
Charu:
Stay curious and continue learning from every aspect of the design process.
Luxury interiors is about far more than aesthetics. Understanding materials, architecture, craftsmanship and client relationships is essential.
Building relationships is also incredibly important. Reach out to people whose work you admire, ask questions and remain open to collaboration. The industry can be very supportive when approached with enthusiasm and authenticity.
Mandi:
Be curious and ask loads of questions and stay open to opportunities which present themselves. Stay positive and think the best of people. I would also say speak to experienced colleagues about how their careers developed and how they navigated challenges, because there is so much to learn from the people around you if you are willing to ask.
What’s the best advice you have been given?
Charu:
One piece of advice that has always stayed with us is to focus on building relationships, not just projects. This is a people business, design is ultimately about people. The most rewarding work often grows from genuine connections with clients, collaborators and peers.
One my personal favourite quotes is ‘do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better’ – Maya Angelou
Mandi:
This too shall pass. It is simple, but it is something I come back to often, both in difficult moments and in stressful periods. It is a reminder to keep perspective and trust that challenges do move on.
ABOUT Elicyon
Founded in 2014 and based in their studio in Kensington Village, Elicyon is known for creating highly personalised, thoughtful and visionary interiors for its global clientele, with an unrivalled dedication to material, minutiae and modernity. Notable projects across the UK include private and listed homes in London's Belgrave Square, Regent's Park and St John's Wood, expansive apartments in the capital's leading super-prime developments, and family homes in the Lake District and on the Wentworth Estate in Surrey. On an international scale, Elicyon is working on several large-scale projects in New York, Miami and the Middle East. From interior architecture and design to project management and bespoke craftsmanship, the studio is primed to execute their client's vision with the utmost expertise, undeterred by complexity, scale or scene, from its creative conception through to the project’s completion.
ABOUT Bill Cleyndert
T: 01485 528822
Bill Cleyndert & Company is a leading British manufacturer of exquisite bespoke furniture, cabinetry, and specialist joinery for private residences and superyachts around the world. Renowned for exceptional craftsmanship, meticulous attention to detail, and peerless service, the company has built enduring relationships with eminent private and professional clients. Based in North Norfolk and Norwich, our light-filled, well-equipped workshops span over 50,000 sq. ft. of modern manufacturing space serving as the creative heart of our operations. We are proud advocates of the British furniture industry and committed to nurturing the next generation of skilled Makers through our in-house Apprenticeship Programme. Our clients are passionate supporters of the arts, united in our mission to keep craftsmanship thriving in Norfolk.